Blackfoot Morning Newshttp://www.am-news.com/node/7310/atom/feed2013-05-18T00:03:06-04:00Blackfoot baseball to play for consolation titlehttp://www.am-news.com/content/blackfoot-baseball-play-consolation-title2013-05-18T00:03:06-04:002013-05-18T00:03:06-04:00editor

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By MARK HIGH sports@cableone.net
BOISE – For the first time in over 12 years the Blackfoot Bronco baseball team picked up a state Class 4A tournament win. Fresh off a disappointing round one loss on Thursday, the Broncos got the big monkey off their backs with a thrilling 4-3 win over Minico on Friday.

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By MARK HIGH sports@cableone.net
BOISE – For the first time in over 12 years the Blackfoot Bronco baseball team picked up a state Class 4A tournament win. Fresh off a disappointing round one loss on Thursday, the Broncos got the big monkey off their backs with a thrilling 4-3 win over Minico on Friday.
“I don’t know when the last time was that Blackfoot got a state playoff game victory but it was just good to see that we could get it done,” Blackfoot coach Kenny Dahle said. “We were able to jump out and get an early lead in the early innings but again, later in the game we kind of got nervous and made some mistakes to let the other team back into the ball game. Unlike yesterday, today we did a good job of finding a way to close out a tough game though and I’m happy with that...”
Blackfoot led throughout the contest with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second and a third run in the bottom of the third for a 3-0 lead.
Minico responded with a run in the fourth and two in the sixth to tie the game at 3-3 to send the Blackfoot faithful into nervous chatter in the stands.
Rather then folding up the tents though, Blackfoot came through in the bottom of the sixth inning as Justin Mathie led off with a single and moved to second base on Mitch Martin's ground out.
With two outs in the inning Blackfoot’s backup catcher, Tyler Lindsay was jogging back to the dugout after warming up Dylan Mansanarez in the bullpen. Dahle told Lindsay that he was up and, after hastily removing his shin guards, Lindsay strode to the plate.
“Coach Mansanarez told me that Lindsay was a clutch hitter so I decided to test him on that,” Dahle said. “What can you say? A kid that hasn’t been in the game for the last six games and he comes up huge for us which really shows that it is a total team effort.”
Lindsay wasted little time with his opportunity to shine as he stroked the first pitch he saw into right field for the game-winning RBI single.
“I was watching him the whole game and he had been throwing fastball early and then he’d go to the breaking ball,” Lindsay said. “You’ve just got to get out there and hit that first fastball.”
Dylan Mansanarez then mowed through the only three batters he saw in the top of the seventh to close out the game which Russel Osborn started.
Blackfoot will now face Twin Falls today at 10 a.m. for the consolation championship.
BLACKFOOT 4, MINICO 3 Minico 000 102 0 - 3 5 1 Blackfoot 021 001 x - 4 8 4 MINICO – Leading hitters: Tanner Anderson 2-3 (2 R), Shay Chandler 1-3, Brayden Winmill 1-2 (2B, 2RBIs), Skye Dansie 1-3. Pitchers: Chandler (L) 6 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 8 K, 2 HB. BLACKFOOT – Leading hitters: Colby Pearson 1-2 (2B), Justin Mathie 2-3 (RBI), Damon Bodkin 1-3 (2 RBIs), Tyler Lindsay 1-1 (RBI). Pitchers: Russel Osborn (W) 6 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K; Dylan Mansanarez (SV) 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K.